The incorrect handling of animal by-products (ABP) waste contributed to the outbreak of livestock disease epidemics, which saw hundreds of thousands of cattle being terminated to prevent further infection. Since the introduction of the Animal By-Product Regulations (ABPR), it is now a legal requirement to dispose of raw meat, fish, poultry and catering waste separately from general commercial waste. This avoids potential contamination risks and prevents ABP waste from re-entering the food supply chain.
With the support from our animal by-products guide, ‘Handling animal by-products and catering waste’, your business can establish how to safely and responsibly manage and dispose of ABP waste and ensure that it will not pose a risk to food safety and hygiene.
What are animal by-products?
ABP waste includes not only animal carcasses, parts of animals, or other materials which come from animals but are not meant for humans to eat, but also catering waste (left-over food) produced by restaurants, takeaways, canteens and other food businesses. Animal by-products require specialist handling and cannot be presented for collection in plastic bags on the street. They can only be presented in closed containers or bins. Failure to do so can lead to enforcement action being taken by Westminster City Council and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
How do you handle and store your ABP waste correctly? Make sure to:
- Store waste in durable lidded containers
- Keep waste storage bins clean
- Store waste bins away from food handling areas
- Clearly label bins designated for ABP waste
How our food waste collection services can help
If your business needs help handling animal by-product waste, our specialist food waste collection service can help.
Westminster City Council Commercial Waste Services will collect your business’ catering waste (food waste separately) and send it for treatment in an anaerobic digestion facility. Known for being an environmentally-friendly method of treatment, this provides a closed-loop solution converting food waste into biogas that can go into the gas grid and fertilisers used on farms. Biogen’s anaerobic digestion facility processes roughly 65,000 tonnes of food waste per year generating 2.9MW of green electricity, which is enough to power approximately 6,500 homes.
We collect:
- Meat and fish leftovers including bones
- Eggs and all dairy products
- Vegetables and fruit including any peelings
- Bread, cake and pastries
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
- Flowers and floral decorations (not plastic and textile)
Need help managing your animal by-products waste? We’ll supply all the bins and bin liners you require to help ensure your waste is disposed and collected correctly.
We have a wide range of waste bins depending on your requirements. View our bin guide now.
What can you find in our animal by-products guide?
This article is simply an introduction to what you can find in our animal by-products guide, ‘Handling animal by-products and catering waste’.
What is included:
- What are animal by-products?
- Who is most affected by ABPR?
- The 3 categories of ABP waste and their risk ratings
- How to ensure food safety and hygiene (storing and handling)
- How to dispose of ABP waste
- How to present ABP waste for collection
Make sure to download your copy today to discover everything you need to know about handling ABPs for your business.
